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| Author |
Message |
    
Michele Cahill
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2000 - 3:06 pm: |   |
Has anyone had any experience with riding or
showing draft horses? I am interested in the
possibility of draft horses doing dressage, more
specifically a Percheron doing dressage. Has
anyone ever heard of this being done before? I
know that they have been used as jumpers before,
but I am mainly interested in seeing them do
dressage. I can't find any reasons why they
shouldn't be able to become good dressage horses,
can you? |
Teresa Alexander-Arab
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2000 - 10:35 pm: | |
Hi Michelle,
I've heard of the Irish Draught doing dressage but am unfamiliar with the percheron(except as cross-breeds)being used as dressage mounts. It's not so much the breed that determines suitability for any type of horse endeavour (e.g., jumping, dressage, cross-country, barrel racing, pleasure etc.....)but the conformation. That said, breeding contributes a lot to a horses conformation and, therefore, the work they are primarily used for. what you need to do is look at the horse you are considering and then look at the sport you wish to pursue. Is the horse able to do the basic movements required? Will it be frustrating for you and the horse to try to fit into a mold he's not able to do? In the end, you can but try.....
good luck
Teresa |
Celia Jackson
| | Posted on Saturday, Feb 19, 2000 - 10:59 pm: | |
I have shown a Belgian cross in the lower levels of dressage with a fair amount of success. He is steady as a rock and oozes relaxation, but he has limited talent and therefore little ability for the upper levels. There is a stable in the northern part of my state that raises Percheron crosses, primarily for dressage. They compete their stallion - full Perch - quite successfully, I believe. I have also seen full Shires and Shire crosses as well as Clydesdale crosses competed successfully in dressage. As with any horse, I'm sure it depends on the individual horse and its ability as to how successful it would be. |
Michele Cahill
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2000 - 9:24 am: | |
Thanks for your comments! |
Alice Stevens
| | Posted on Sunday, Feb 20, 2000 - 4:03 pm: | |
Hi Michele,
I have heard of one Percheron who actually does the upper levels and scores 60%. Think he does PreStGeorge. Currently I can't find a picture of him but his name is Cottonwood flame.
Alice |
Michele Cahill
| | Posted on Tuesday, Feb 22, 2000 - 9:50 am: | |
Thanks again |
Imogen Bertin
| | Posted on Wednesday, Feb 23, 2000 - 3:41 pm: | |
There are quite a few pure Irish draughts that do dressage but they seem to get marked down on movement above elementary level in favour of warmbloods and German horses. The ones that really stand above themselves (hocks well in underneath) seem to do best.
Their temperament is ideal for dressage and they are absolutely great for prelim and novice level.
Imogen |
Amy Brachthauser
Member
Username: Horsepix
Post Number: 13
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Oct 9, 2003 - 12:35 pm: | |
There are many pictures of Cottonwood Flame on his website: http://www.forresthillfarm.com/ |
Amy
Member
Username: Horsepix
Post Number: 19
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004 - 2:16 pm: | |
There are also a boat load of folks who ride drafts and post on a couple of BBs:
Ultimate Dressage http://www.ultimatedressage.com
Percheron Horse Network
http://www.percheronnetwork.com
|
Gill Bridgeman
Member
Username: Gillb
Post Number: 51
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004 - 3:18 pm: | |
Here is a pic (hopefully!) of my daughter riding her UK native pony - he is a Dales breed and often called a mini-shire! He is fantastic at getting his hocks under him and has amazing self carriage for a little fat hairy pony   |
Amy
Member
Username: Horsepix
Post Number: 23
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 2004 - 3:56 pm: | |
Cute pony! |
Corinne Meadows
Member
Username: Corinne
Post Number: 16
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, Sep 29, 2005 - 7:29 pm: | |
My instructor has a purebred percheron that belongs to her husband as his jousting horse. The horse is multi-talented and when she rode him, he placed in his first training level dressage tests, as well as in dressage equitation. It was his first show and he did not have much dressage training. Everyone, everywhere, absolutely loves watching this big magnificent horse.
He also participated in a clinic by a Grand Prix Dressage rider at the last Horsefest, and the clinician, who has a few drafts in training of her own, said drafts have as much talent at dressage as other horses. And this horse was no exception. Unfortunately, as Imogen stated, some judges may discriminate against drafts because of their body type, but hopefully they are few and far between, as all judges should remain unbiased.
My coach also has a Belgian cross that she is training to event on, and this horse jumps 4" from a stand still. She is amazing.
If you like drafts go for it!
I live in an area that thinks all Arabians are crazy and should only participate in endurance rides. We are proving them wrong as we are schooling first level dressage and schooling 2'6 fences and have only been together a year and a half.
I say let's break the mold with breed stereotyping and have fun doing what ever discipline we enjoy on what ever horse we have and love! |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 914
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, Sep 29, 2005 - 9:42 pm: | |
Corinne - I totally agree! We also have Arabians (Egyptian) and show at a lot of open shows against various breeds. I enjoy seeing all the breeds. A well conformed, good performing horse is a beautiful thing to watch regardless of breed, imo. |
